For generations, fans have lovingly argued about what exactly Goofy is. With his long ears, dog-like snout, and anthropomorphic antics, many have assumed he’s simply a talking dog—Pluto with pants. But as Bill Farmer, the man behind Goofy’s voice since 1987, explains, it’s not quite that simple.
“Pluto is a dog, but Goofy seems to be in the canine family in the same way that a wolf is not a dog, but they also are in the canine family,” Farmer said in a 2020 interview. “I think Canis Goofus is the technical Latin term for what Goofy is. He’s just Goofy.”
"He’s just Goofy."
— Bill Farmer
Not a cow, not quite a dog—just Goofy
Some fans have taken Goofy’s romantic connections—most notably with Clarabelle Cow—as evidence that he must be a cow himself. But Farmer’s clarification puts that theory to rest. Goofy may fall under the broader canine umbrella, but he’s his own kind of creature, with a unique personality and emotional depth that’s evolved over the decades.
That emotional evolution was never more evident than in 1995’s A Goofy Movie, where Goofy took on the role of a single father trying to connect with his teenage son, Max. For Farmer, this shift wasn’t just about comedy—it was deeply personal.
From a kid on his dad’s lap to the voice of Goofy
Farmer’s journey to becoming Goofy began long before his first voice session with Disney. As a child, he loved watching Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color while sitting on his father’s lap. Goofy stood out as his favorite, and Farmer spent his youth mimicking the lovable character’s signature sounds.
He eventually turned those childhood impressions into a career as a stand-up comic and impressionist, landing in Hollywood with dreams of animation. At his Disney audition, he gave Mickey Mouse a try—“I thought I did a pretty good Mickey Mouse,” he recalled—but it was Goofy that hit the mark.
"Goofy was right in the wheelhouse."
— Bill Farmer
A Goofy legacy grounded in love
When it came time to voice A Goofy Movie, Farmer knew the emotional weight of Goofy’s character needed to be authentic. So he turned to real life.
“My son at the time was around 5 years old, so I was substituting in my mind my son so I could have that father/son relationship and it became real,” he said.
The result was a portrayal of Goofy that resonated with kids and parents alike. Many fans have told Farmer the movie helped them better understand their own dads.
"They didn’t get along with their dad, but could understand him because of Goofy."
— Bill Farmer
Celebrating 30 years of a true Disney classic
This year marked the 30th anniversary of A Goofy Movie, and Disney fans came out in full force to celebrate. At a special anniversary screening at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, Bill Farmer took the stage in front of a packed house. In a moment that brought the crowd to its feet, he performed the heartfelt song “Nobody Else But You” live—one of the emotional high points from the film that cemented its status as a Disney classic.
The performance was met with thunderous applause, a testament to just how deeply this movie continues to resonate with audiences. What began as a quirky animated film has become a beloved generational touchstone. Its themes of connection, love, and awkward-but-sincere parenting still strike a chord with fans old and new.
From "Dippy Dawg" to Disney icon
Goofy has come a long way from his first appearance in 1932’s Mickey's Revue, where he debuted under the name "Dippy Dawg." It was the 1939 short Goofy and Wilbur that helped him transition into a fully-fledged character with a unique voice and soul—a journey Farmer has helped shape for nearly four decades.
Thanks to his heartfelt voice work and deep respect for the character, Farmer has ensured Goofy isn’t just a sidekick or a comic relief. He’s a father, a friend, and, as it turns out, a species all his own.
And maybe that’s the most Goofy thing of all.
Furry friends are importantRepresentative image via Canva
Couple has annoying conversation
The one phrase people most want to ban forever—and 20 more that drive us all nuts
If you’ve ever cringed at hearing “It is what it is” or rolled your eyes at someone saying “No offense…” before delivering something totally offensive, you’re definitely not alone. Some expressions are so irritating, so overused, or so grammatically cursed that hearing them once more might just push us over the edge.
We asked our Facebook audience, “ If you could ban one annoying phrase from existence forever, what would it be?” and holy moly, did the floodgates open. Typically, a given question might rack up around 5,000 comments—but this one? Over 14,000. People shared responses that were funny, petty, brutally honest, and occasionally downright poignant. From phrases that try (and fail) to sound wise, to those so overused they've lost all meaning entirely—here are the top contenders folks are completely done with.
The one phrase nearly everyone wants to vanish
By far the most repeated offender was:
Over and over, users cited this as the ultimate non-response. It’s dismissive, it ends conversations, and it offers exactly zero comfort or help.
Another big category? Expressions meant to comfort that end up being painful or insulting. These include:
Many commenters explained that these phrases, while often well-intentioned, feel dismissive in times of grief or hardship.
Grammar gripes and word crimes
Grammar lovers had a lot of feelings. Some of the most-cited “please stop saying this” phrases included:
And let’s not forget the collective rage over “pacifically” when people mean “specifically.”
Words that reveal more than they intend
Several users took issue with phrases that feel passive-aggressive or intellectually lazy, such as:
As user Jacqueline C. put it, “'To be honest...' What does that mean? That you're not honest any other time?”
Phrases tied to racism, sexism, or toxic positivity
A significant number of respondents took aim at harmful or politically charged phrases. Among them:
These comments weren’t just about annoyance—they were about the emotional weight and social impact of language.
James G. didn’t mince words when he wrote: “‘Go back to your country, then’ 🤬. The epitome of racist. I love my country, plus my ancestors did not ASK to be brought here the way they were.”
Corporate speak and empty buzzwords
You knew these were coming.
These phrases sparked a different kind of rage—one reserved for staff meetings and marketing emails.
Iris H. summed it up: “Most corporate speak. Downsizing. Low hanging fruit. Pivot. etc…..” Just say what you mean, please.
Why this resonated so deeply
There’s something unifying about shared irritation. These phrases might seem harmless or routine, but for many people, they’re like verbal paper cuts—tiny annoyances that, over time, sting a lot more than they should.
Whether it’s poor grammar, dismissive condolences, or flat-out hate speech in disguise, we’re collectively craving language that’s thoughtful, clear, and kind.
So the next time you find yourself reaching for one of these expressions, take a beat. Maybe there’s a better way to say what you mean. Or maybe… just don’t say anything at all.
And if you’ve got your own phrase that should be banished from existence? Don’t worry—there’s still time to add to the list.
Got another phrase that needs to go? Drop it in the comments on our original Facebook post.
Bonus: The top five most hated phrases from our poll
Let’s make 2025 the year we finally stop saying all of them.